Hugh Robertson, MP and Minister for Sport and Tourism, has become the latest figure to back the events industry by signing the Declaration of Support.

The document picked up signatures from 38 politicians during a meetings industry trade show held in Frankfurt last week. By putting pen to paper on the Declaration of Support, these figures are agreeing that the meetings and events industry is a major driver of economic growth and development in the global economy.

As reported by conference-news.co.uk, the event provided numerous opportunities for high-ranking national and local politicians from all over the world to discuss ways of addressing barriers to industry growth.

Some of the solutions mentioned included greater community involvement, more travel freedom through fewer visa restrictions, improved research and better use of marketing.

While these merely stand as possible keys to unlocking growth for event spaces and planning companies, industry leaders hope to encourage the government into looking at the issues by gaining a number of high-profile signatures on the Declaration of Support.

Forum moderator Michael Hirst, chairman of the Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) said being able to add Mr Robertson’s signature to the document was a huge achievement for his group.

“It demonstrates that our sponsoring minister understands the power of meetings and events and is prepared to back our industry efforts,” he told incentivetravel.co.uk.